Stacy Bartley

Stacy Bartley, 55, passed away on Thursday, October 2, at home in Leawood, KS. She was born on March 26, 1970, in Wichita, KS, to Larry and Pat Carey. Stacy grew up in Wichita where she excelled in sports and academics. More than anything, she was known for her vibrant personality and her ability to form lasting friendships. Quick to smile, laugh, and light up a room, Stacy's energy was contagious. Whether she was throwing a softball, kicking a soccer ball, or cruising around in her Mustang GT (license plate GEE_TEE, of course), she was always up for an adventure.

She graduated from Wichita Southeast HS in 1988. Oklahoma State didn’t offer her degree program, and in Stacy fashion, she said FU…. forget it and turned down a scholarship to play softball. Instead, she went to K-State to study Architectural Engineering, where she was a proud member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. During her junior year, a finals week study session at the Union changed her life. It was there that she met Neil, who had a copy of the test she was studying for. After their introduction, the two went on their first date after the exam.

Faithful to her colors, Stacy was often seen wearing her KSU clothing. She commented that it consumed her wardrobe.

Stacy and Neil were married on July 24, 1993. After finishing their degrees in December, they both took jobs in Michigan and moved to Detroit the day after Christmas. The next seven years were filled with travel, adventure, and new experiences, from the sunny Bahamas to the breathtaking landscapes of Key West, Tahoe, Hawaii, and San Francisco.

But Stacy’s greatest joy came with motherhood. Her "Mom Era" became her favorite chapter in life. Ethan was born on September 2, 2001, followed by Ava and Mia on January 16, 2004. Raising her children was her greatest joy and her pride in their accomplishments was the first topic of any of her conversations.

Stacy cherished her friendships and never missed a chance to laugh together, share a hug, lend an ear and enjoy a drink… or two. She never forgot a birthday. She celebrated your joys as her own and sat with you in your grief. If she was your friend, you were her friend for life. Her memory is woven through the many lives she touched, from childhood friends to college buddies, sorority sisters to colleagues, and countless others.

Stacy's Celebration of Life Visitation will be held at McGilley State Line Chapel, located at 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64145. The visitation is scheduled for October 9, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City, Attn: Mike Jeffries, 2502 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64108, or online at https://rmhckc.org/donate/ or to the KSU Marching Band - online at https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/17067/donations/new